Michael Rogan
Alpine Technical Coach
Where is your home mountain?
Heavenly Resort, California and Portillo, Chile
What other occupations are you involved in?
I am a snowmaker in the summertime – I go to South America.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
I once spent time with a survivor of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 that crashed in the Andes – the story inspired the book and film Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. It was his first time on snow since the crash. It taught me that sometimes skiing is not the important part of a lesson.
What are your specialties as a team member?
General Alpine
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III, Children’s Specialist 2 credential. I have my explosives license in Chile for avalanche mitigation.
Anything we missed asking?
I hope that our members take the opportunity to get to know this team. It is made up of great skiers and riders, teachers, and people.
Matt Boyd
Alpine Assistant and Development Coach
Where is your home mountain?
Loon Mountain, New Hampshire
What other occupations are you involved in?
Waterparks and ziplines.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
It was at a rainy training session at Loon over 20 years ago when I realized that it is not the “progression” that is important – it’s the steps you take to help create learning that are important.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Coaching is my specialty. I love helping people find their keys to success.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III with a Children’s Specialist 2 credential. Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Red Cross lifeguard instructor, certified pool operator.
Dominique Vetromile
Where is your home mountain?
Aspen Snowmass Ski and Snowboard School, Colorado
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Aspen Snowmass Ski and Snowboard School, Colorado
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
14 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Teaching skills., People skills., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff. General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Mentorship, Engaging underrepresented groups in snowsports / instruction, Running special events or group programs, Training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.)
What other work do you do?
Aspen Snowmass Trainer, PSIA – AASI RM Examiner
Elle Matalavage
Where is your home mountain?
Stevens Pass, Washington
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Tussey Mountain, Pennsylvania
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
15 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), Teaching skills., People skills., Preparing for certification., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff. Freestyle / freeride, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Translating snowsports instructing skills to other roles / jobs (outside of snowsports industry), Mentorship, Engaging underrepresented groups in snowsports / instruction
What other work do you do?
I work as a truck driver in the construction industry and work as an arborist.
Katie White
Where is your home mountain?
Yellowstone Club, Montana and Portillo, Chile
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Chestnut, IL
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
11 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), People skills., Preparing for certification., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff., fitness content to improve technical ability. Children’s specialist, Snowsports school management, Gear tech (i.e. bootfitting, equipment tuning, etc.) related to your discipline, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Translating snowsports instructing skills to other roles / jobs (outside of snowsports industry), Mentorship, Engaging underrepresented groups in snowsports / instruction, Running special events or group programs, Training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.)
What other work do you do?
PSIA Alpine 3 Examiner, Ski School Director Portillo, Yellowstone Club Training Manager, CARV Ambassador
Dusty Dyar
Where is your home mountain?
Crested Butte, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Carpentry.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Spending several days practicing synchronized skiing for Interski. I learned a lot about the ins and outs of synchro, and modifying my skiing to match my partners improved my skills. The experience encouraged me to continue practicing on my own.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I am involved with children’s education, big mountains and steeps, and some freestyle.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI certified Alpine Level III and Snowboard Level I with a Children’s Specialist 2 credential.
Bart Flynn
Where is your home mountain?
Jackson Hole Resort, Wyoming
What other occupations are you involved in?
Owner/Operator at Fitzgerald’s Bicycles.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Learning how to teach. When I first started teaching skiing, I knew how to ski but realized I had no idea how to teach someone else to ski. Developing an understand skiing and learning how to share that understanding with others has been an invaluable experience.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Besides being a ski nerd, I grew up ski racing and coached both kids and seniors (75+) for years. I still have a strong passion for racing and love to incorporate ideas from both recreational skiing and racing.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III with a Children’s Specialist 2 credential. United States Ski and Snowboard (USSS) Level 200.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I grew up skiing ice at Suicide Six in Vermont.
George Flynn
George Flynn
Where is your home mountain?
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
What other occupations are you involved in?
I own a bike shop.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Coaching a client into Corbet’s Couloir. It combines mental strength, understanding, execution of technique, and creative tactics in an ever-changing high consequence arena. Watching the lasting high of them complete this bucket list item was very inspiring.
What are your specialties as a team member?
In addition to training staff and teaching students, I’ve spent a lot of time coaching racing, both children’s and masters programs.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III. Children’s Specialist 2 credentials. United States Ski and Snowboard Association Level 200.
Is there anything we missed asking?
Born and raised in Vermont!!
Joshua Fogg
Where is your home mountain?
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
I am the training manager for the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen, an Rocky Mountain Division examiner, and a member of the PSIA-RM Alpine Committee.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Recently, I’ve spent time thinking about and working with how boot alignment affects our enjoyment of skiing. Fit has a strong impact on our motivation to learn and improve. People who feel their equipment works for them are willing to put in more work to improve their skills.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I specialize in how instructor training translates into transformative guest experiences. I focus on how to train future trainers in outcome-based training so that we can share our knowledge with other instructors in inspiring and relevant ways.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III, Cross Country Level I, and Telemark Level I, Freestyle Specialist 1 and Children’s Specialist 1 credential.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I’m interested in shaping instruction techniques around how people learn motor skill sports in mountain environments. The measure of a successful lesson is their excitement for the sport and ability to independently repeat what they learned.
Mike Hafer
Where is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Breckenridge Ski and Snowboard School Manager
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
An instructor came to me for advice on training for his Level III. We chatted fitness, technique, and planning. After four years of dedication, he achieved his Level at the young age of 70!
What are your specialties as a team member?
I teach all ages and all levels. This experience helps me coach instructors how to connect with their students of all ages and skills.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III and Children’s Specialist 2 credential.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I am honored to serve my third term on the team.
Stephen Helfenbein
Where is your home mountain?
Deer Valley, Utah
What other occupations are you involved in?
None! I’m all in on skiing.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Facilitating the PSIA-certification process for coaches and athletes of the U.S. Ski Team. It was so impressive to see how elite athletes can adapt their skill sets to meet the demands of PSIA-AASI’s level III certification.
What are your specialties as a team member?
High performance off-piste skiing, teaching skills, training skills and certification training.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-certified Alpine Level III and Children’s Specialist 2 credential.
Is there anything we missed asking?
Teaching skiing is my favorite activity. No matter what I’m doing (running, cycling, paddling, strength training, skating) I am considering the implications for snow sports instruction.
Kevin Jordan
Where is your home mountain?
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
In the summer, I help manage a bike school. It’s similar to ski and snowboard school but with bikes instead of boards. I also do freelance writing for industry publications.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Teaching my children how to ski and love the mountain lifestyle. It can be challenging at times, but the reward of watching them progress is worth it. It’s awesome when they say, “Dad, did you see that?” after catching some air!
What are your specialties as a team member?
I try to diversify my skill sets as much as possible. For example, alpine, ski racing, children’s instruction, freestyle, and backcountry skiing.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Alpine Level III, and Freestyle Specialist 3 and Children’s Specialist 2. PMBIA (Professional Mountain Bike Instructors Association) – Level 1 Course Conductor. American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 3 Avalanche Certificate.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I am a husband and a father of two kids who keep me on my toes. I love to travel and learning.
Peter Novom
Where is your home mountain?
Okemo, Vermont
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Temple Mtn, New Hampshire
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
24 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), Teaching skills., People skills., Preparing for certification., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff. Freestyle / freeride, Snowsports school management, Gear tech (i.e. bootfitting, equipment tuning, etc.) related to your discipline, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Translating snowsports instructing skills to other roles / jobs (outside of snowsports industry), Mentorship
What other work do you do?
Training Manager, Ski & Ride School, Okemo Mountain
Zoe Mavis
Where is your home mountain?
Big Sky, Montana
What other occupations are you involved in?
Whitewater rafting
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
Teaching first-time kids to ski in Portillo, Chille.
What are your specialties as a team member?
My Passions include training fellow instructors and helping them reach their goals. I also am a Children’s Clinician and love helping instructors learn new ways to connect with kids and get them stoked on the sport.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Alpine Level III and Cross Country Level I certified with Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials. United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSS) Level 200.
Is there anything we missed asking?
If you can’t find me on the ski hill or the river, I’m most likely playing with my dogs or riding my motorcycle.
Ben Potts
Where is your home mountain?
Breckenridge, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Farming and noxious weed management
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
A couple summers ago, I signed up for Dave Lyon’s Race Camp to expand my skills. Dave made me feel supported and included from the moment I arrived, and it was a fun week of learning.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I have always valued being a well-rounded skier, and for me, freestyle is a big part of a rounded skillset. I also enjoy the raw excitement kids have for skiing.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Alpine Level III and Adaptive Level I, and Freestyle Specialist 3 and Children’s Specialist 2. United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSS) Freeskiing Level 300.
Is there anything we missed asking?
As instructors, we put everything we have into our lessons – so it’s important we maintain our spark through the season. Find something that helps you stay excited. For me, it’s watching skiing videos while I eat breakfast.
Ann Schorling
Where is your home mountain?
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
What other occupations are you involved in?
Leadership consulting.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
A week-long group of 7 and 8-year-olds in Portillo, Chile. None of them could stop when we started the week, but they LOVED to ski. We laughed and played a ton, and they brought pure joy to everyday.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Off-piste big mountain skiing, understanding people skills, figuring out what is getting in the way of success.
Relevant certifications?
PSIA-AASI Alpine Level III and Telemark Level III, and Children’s Specialist 2.
Brian Smith
Where is your home mountain?
Gore Mountain, New York and Aspen Highlands, Colorado
What other occupations are you involved in?
Residential and commercial building industry.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
For the past five years, I ski with the same client for 18-20 consecutive days every season. My client? A (now) ten-year-old boy named Trevor. Two seasons ago he and I made it our mission to conquer the Aspen Highlands Bowl hike. It was awesome sharing in the preparation, self-arrest training, talks about altitude, and route decisions and tactics for accent. With the support of a friend who just happened to my oldest daughter Ellie, Trevor successfully made the over 12,000ft journey.
What are your specialties as a team member?
I’m a former alpine racer turned tree skiing bump freak! I love to clinic on how to clinic and connecting with people.
Relevant certifications?
Former Eastern Division Board Member and member of the Eastern Division Alpine Race Committee. PSIA-certified Alpine Level III with my Children’s Specialist 2 and Freestyle Specialist 1 credentials.
Is there anything we missed asking?
I love fly fishing, snorkeling, boating, camping and adventuring with family.
Troy Walsh
Where is your home mountain?
Sunday River, Maine
What other occupations are you involved in?
Pool construction.
Describe a teaching or learning experience that sticks out in your mind.
When I realized how long it takes to build skills. You may have heard about the theory on how it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert. I am amazed how long that it takes, and in awe to see how many skillful people are out there.
What are your specialties as a team member?
Anything alpine.
Relevant certifications?
Alpine Level III. Children’s Specialist 2. Licensed Maine guide.
A.J. Oliver
Where is your home mountain?
Big Sky Resort, MT
Where did you learn to slide on snow?
Steamboat Springs, CO
As of 2024, how long have you been instructing?
10 years
What are your specialties as a team member?
Technical skills. (How to be a better skier, rider, etc., and how to teach others to be better), Teaching skills., Preparing for certification., Advancing in PSIA-AASI, such as how to become and excel as ed staff. Snowsports school management, Gear tech (i.e. bootfitting, equipment tuning, etc.) related to your discipline, General professional development in snowsports, such as how to make a career out of it, Translating snowsports instructing skills to other roles / jobs (outside of snowsports industry), Mentorship, Background in racing or race coaching, Training (physical, mental, summer prep, etc.)
What other work do you do?
Bike instructor
